Chapters Rainbows on Ice and Fire in the Sky
Edited by Tacotown
Rainbows on Ice and Fire in the Sky
“Why the does The Jarl want this particular dragon dead?” Arria shouted shakily to Lydia from behind her ward, while intense dragon flames hammered against it. The ward failed every few seconds allowing a bit of fire to leach through and fall upon the hooded apprentice mage standing behind it. On the bright side, ever since discovering that she was the Dragonborn a week ago, Arria had learned that fire wasn’t nearly as much of a concern as it used to be. Neither did most things actually, now that she thought about it. The fire resistance potion that she’d downed before the dragon noticed them didn’t hurt either.
“I don’t know my Thane; however I do know that we should be more worried about killing the damned thing, instead of talking about it!” Lydia shouted back. The dark haired nord was taking cover behind a nearby rock using her steel shield to further protect her body from the incoming fire.
“I really would love to, but he’s kinda trying to turn me into chargrill right now, so it’ll have to wait!” Arria shouted as she ran out of energy to power her ward. She was forced to take cover behind the rock with Lydia or risk the dragon’s fire burning through her newfound immunity and scorching her.
“You imperials are always complaining about minor things like that.” Lydia said with a chuckle.
“Yes and you nords always think that you’re fire proof!” Arria shouted back in frustration just as the dragon’s fire finally stopped, allowing the mage to drop her ward and switch to back to her lightning bolt spell. She shot two of the arching beams of electricity directly into the brown dragon’s chest. The dragon roared in pain and the blonde woman smiled slightly to herself as it winged away.
“We don’t think that we’re fireproof, we just know that the fire knows better than to try and burn the sons and daughters of Skyrim.” Lydia replied with a chuckle. Arria shook her head. She’d been traveling with the Nordic housecarl for a week now and Arria still couldn’t tell if Lydia was serious about half of the things she said.
“I wish I could say the same about us imperials.” Arria replied with a twinge of nervousness in her voice as she readied her lightning for another round while the dragon turned and began to fly towards them again.
The nord chuckled but didn’t add a further comment as the dragon arced down at them spewing fire from its great sharp-toothed maw. An eerie flickering light erupted from Arria’s right hand as her ward burst into existence taking the majority of the damage from the dragon’s assault, although Arria could feel just enough of the heat from the flames to know that her fire resistance potion was around three quarters gone. She raised her left hand and shot another bolt of lightning into the dragon’s chest as it passed, and was pleased to hear another pained grunt.
“Land, damn you!” Lydia shouted at the beast who paid her no head as it winged off again.
“My potion’s almost worn off.” Arria informed the nord nervously, Lydia grimaced.
“May I suggest a tactical retreat my Thane?” Lydia asked but Arria just shook her head as she surveyed the scenery.
Autumnwatch Tower was still a good fifty feet upslope and she didn’t think that they’d be able to get there before the dragon returned to once more rain fire upon the two women. Well maybe Lydia would be able to; despite the armor she wore, the nord woman was able to sprint with little to no difficulty. Arria, on the other hand, wasn’t in what you could call the most athletic kind of person; not fat, but lacking any kind of real endurance outside of magic and the occasional swing of her mace. All of that was really available in the way of cover were the rocks that they were currently hiding behind and soon the dragon would probably wise up and trap them with their backs to them.
“I can’t see anywhere we could actually get to, but you’ve been doing this longer then I have, so if I’ve missed something feel free to let me know.” Arria replied as she once more readied her ward, the dragon making another pass. It unleashed a torrent of fire that deflected off of her ward and splashed against the ground beside her, making Lydia jump backwards into the rock out of reflex. The dragon’s flames stopped and Arria took the opportunity to fire off another lightning bolt, which missed the dragon completely as it flew by.
“Perhaps we could get to the tower…” Lydia mused.
“You could, I couldn’t.” Arria replied grimly in a low voice.
“I know that my Thane and I wouldn’t leave you behind in the first place. Besides it would only delay our deaths.” Lydia told her.
“Death, yeah I really don’t want to die right now.” Arria said in a small almost terrified voice.
“Don’t worry my Thane, if we do die, then the bards will write a song about it, and we’ll be remembered throughout history.” Lydia told her with a chuckle.
“I must be missing something here, because that still doesn’t outweigh dying to me.” Arria said as lightning arced around both of her hands in preparation for a stronger bolt.
“Well I don’t know about you my Thane, but I know that I’ll be welcomed into the halls of Sovngarde; where I’ll feast and fight till the end of time so that helps.” Lydia replied, hefting her steel shield and sword meaningfully.
“Nords.” Arria said with a dispassionate shake of her head before releasing her lightning directly into the dragon’s chest as it was flying towards them.
The dragon let out a loud roar of pain before letting out a blast of fire as it landed in front of them. Throwing up a quick ward, Arria repelled the attack but she suddenly felt the heat of the flames as they brushed up against the ward and attempted to overwhelm her defense. That was bad, that meant that her fire resistance potion had just worn off and she was down to her magic to protect herself from the flames. Thankfully, the dragon’s maw closed, and the fire ceased seconds before Arria’s ward died.
“For Skyrim!” Lydia shouted as she charged the beast sword held high. The dragon’s head snapped out jaws wide but Lydia bashed it aside with her shield and delivered a powerful chop with her sword into the dragon’s throat, drawing blood. Arria gathered her magic while this was happening, and unleashed a bolt of pure electricity into the dragon’s face. The dragon shook his head in irritation at the bugs poking it and let out a thunderous roar that sent Lydia stumbling backwards and opening her up to a blast of flame. The nord woman let out a pained cry as the flames washed over her but rolled out of their path before they could finish her.
“FUS RO DA!” Arria shouted forcing the dragon to stagger as the power of the Shout blasted into it. Meanwhile Arria ran over to where Lydia was struggling to her feet and quickly cast a healing spell that took effect almost instantly healing the burns that ran across Lydia’s unprotected arms.
“Thank you my Thane, blasted lizard nearly got me.” Lydia panted.
“You’re welcome.” Arria replied before turning back to the dragon who was about to once again charge them. Arria reached for her magic but came up empty. “Dammit I’m out of magic.” Arria growled as she drew her steel mace.
“Then let’s see if we can’t give this beastie a headache.” Lydia said with a quick smile as she hefted her sword.
***
Rainbow Dash was not having the best day. Actually it didn’t even come close. Oh it had started out well enough. She and Applejack had agreed to meet for breakfast in order to try and come up with a new competition that they could both compete in fairly. Twilight had tried to help the day before but none of the academic’s ideas had appealed to either of them. Breakfast had been going well and they both felt like they were on the very cusp of an idea when Twilight had interrupted them and told them that they’d been tasked with removing another dragon. That was why she was currently trying to avoid said dragon’s irritable flames while her friends frantically tried to find some way to make it move.
“We just want you to find another cave you great brute!” Rarity shouted at the dragon as Dash whizzed under a fireball nearly getting roasted in the process.
“And I don’t want to leave my cave, get lost!” The big blue dragon roared back.
“Princess Celestia has promised to give you a much bigger cave somewhere near the eastern mountains; wouldn’t you like that one more?” Twilight asked the dragon as she dodged to the side while the dragon’s foot smashed into the place that she’d been occupying a few seconds prior.
“I like my cave, it’s mine!” The dragon replied before letting out an annoyed roar, thanks to the mighty buck that Applejack had sent smashing into his other leg. The dragon snorted in annoyance and sent the farm pony tumbling away with a flick of his claws. Rainbow Dash swooped down and delivered a kick to his face before he could finish Applejack. The dragon turned and spat another ball of fire at her, but Rainbow managed to dodge, if just barely.
“Party Cannon!” Pinkie suddenly shouted jumping out of the darkness of the cave and firing her party cannon directly into the dragon’s chest. An explosion of pink confetti and cake batter impacted against the dragon’s chest. He looked down at the pink mare with one eye ridge raised.
“Really?” He asked disdainfully.
“Meh, worth a try.” Pinkie replied with a grin before she did a backflip to avoid the dragon’s fist which slammed into the ground directly where she’d been standing. Dash was about to go for another kick but Fluttershy stepped into the cave and locked gazes with the dragon.
“Mister dragon would you please leave, the Princess has prepared an extra nice cave for you to li-” Fluttershy began but she was interrupted by the dragon’s indignant huff.
“I said no, leave me alone!” The dragon roared before rearing his head back and launching a column of flames directly at Fluttershy, who stood there staring in open mouthed surprise. No dragon, or any other creature had ever resisted when she asked them to do something, and the sheer shock of the dragon’s reply had frozen her.
“Fluttershy dodge!” Dash shouted as she flew as fast as her wings would allow her in order to reach the other pegasus before the flames impacted. She got there just in time to throw Fluttershy to the side as the incoming flames washed over her. Dash felt her world slip out from under her. In the back of her head she thought she heard some form of mad laughter as the flames traveled over her but then all was black.
***
The fight had been going on for around half an hour with no easily discernible victor. Arria was nearing the point of magical exhaustion. Her eyelids hung heavily and her entire body was beginning to run out of the energy needed to both to live and cast spells. The robes that she wore were covered in singes, and dragon blood mixed liberally with her own. She didn’t even want to think about the amount of time it would take to wash the stains out, if they survived at all of course.
Lydia panted as she stood next to Arria. Sweat and steam poured from the exposed bits of her flesh that weren’t incased in armor. Her sword hung loosely at her side and her shield would’ve already been on the ground if it wasn’t strapped to her arm. Her dark hair was plastered to her forehead and her breath stained the air with mist as it rushed in and out of her body. Her forearms were covered with dragon’s blood that reflected off of the newly risen stars. Over the course of the battle she’d received several nasty bites to her right shoulder. The place where the dragon’s teeth had sunk into her steel armor and effectively turned it scrap was easily visible to anyone who cared to look.
The dragon was in bad shape itself. Its scaly face was blackened and bleeding from repeatedly being shot with lightning and having a sword slashing into it. The once proud bat like wings that were now tucked protectively against its back were tattered and torn from where lightning bolts had burned large holes through them. Its right foreleg had lost several of talons thanks to the Nord’s sword slashes, and the talons on the left had become grievously mangled by the mage’s mace. Blood poured from the dragon’s multiple wounds staining the newly fallen snow a deep crimson. It was tired of this fight it drew back its neck and began to roar in anger at the two humans who had caused it so much pain. Suddenly the dragon paused mid roar.
An extremely perplexed look suddenly crossed the dragon’s face and it suddenly started coughing like it was a cat with a particularly big hairball. Arria and Lydia watched the dragon warily not sure what to make of this sudden development. After a full minute of coughing, the dragon finally expelled whatever it was that had been blocking its throat, and a bundle of blue fur, feathers, and rainbow colored hair tumbled to the ground. All three of the combatants paused and stared at the wet dragon slobber covered object that was groaning slightly as it lay there in the snow.
“Wait…what…What just happened…?” Arria asked as she stared at the bundle. The dragon seemed just as confused as the two women and just shrugged a draconic shrug.
“Well I’d say that we should finish off the lizard and then investigate the winged horse.” Lydia told Arria.
“That… Sounds like a good idea, but I still…?” Arria said in confusion causing Lydia to chuckle.
“Don’t worry about it now my Thane, worry about it after you’ve absorbed the soul of this dragon.” Lydia replied as she hefted her sword and charged the dragon. Arria shook her head to clear it and began to gather the energy that she needed for her spell.
Meanwhile the dragon was still looking down at the horse that had randomly burst from his throat. It was trying to figure out whether or not he’d eaten the horse or nor. It was pretty sure that he hadn’t because he was certain that he’d remember ingesting something that colorful. The dragon’s train of thought was rudely interrupted by Lydia slashing into the side of his face drawing a long bloody line.
The dragon reared its head back roaring in pain giving Arria a perfect shot at the underside of his jaw. The mage unleashed her gathered energy in the form of a large lightning bolt which seared a black hole through the bottom of the dragon’s jaw and out the back of his skull cooking its brain in the process. The dragon’s body toppled over sideways avoiding the small winged horse on the ground.
“Thank the nine.” Arria muttered as she fell to her knees in exhaustion while the dragon’s body began to burn.
The dragon’s soul fled from its destroyed form but was quickly sucked into Arria’s body by the same mystical force that made it possible for her to use the Thu’um. Just like with the last two dragons that they’d killed together Arria suddenly felt a whole new world of mental possibilities open up to her. It was an invigorating feeling that made her shiver slightly as the dragon’s soul melded with her own.
Lydia was already investigating the moaning being on the ground by the time Arria regained her footing and stumbled over to the housecarl. The horse was about half as long as Lydia was tall with a coat of sleek blue fur. Two powerful blue feathered wings came out of its back and a scruffy rainbow mane covered the top of its head while a long rainbow colored tail flowed behind it. The horse was still groaning but had yet to open its eyes.
“So, what is it, besides the obvious?” Arria asked Lydia.
“She, what is she.” Lydia corrected.
“How can you tell?” Arria asked.
“How do you think my Thane?” Lydia asked with a nod towards the horse’s lower body. Arria followed her gaze and then broke off blushing furiously. “I sometimes forget how easy it is to make you blush my Thane.” Lydia told Arria with a chuckle.
“Yes well… what should we do with her?” Arria asked while attempting to put some authority in her voice.
“Well it’s getting a little late to travel so I’d say that we should bring her with us while campout in one of those towers.” Lydia told Arria who nodded.
“That sounds like a good idea to me, although I have one concern.” Arria replied.
“Oh, what is it my Thane?” Lydia asked.
“Would you please carry her?” Arria asked wearily.
“I am sworn to carry your burdens.” Lydia replied sardonically before she grabbed the winged horse by the forelegs and slung her gently over her back. Arria nodded thankfully and together the two set off for the towers on the nearby hill where they would hopefully be able to get a little rest.
***
Rainbow Dash’s eyes flickered open and she took in the scene before her rapidly. Her friends were nowhere to be found and neither was the dragon or its cave. Instead she was lying on her back on a crude bed of what felt kind of like fur. Stone walls encircled her and she could see a ceiling ten or twelve feet above her. Dash’s more immediate attention focused on the odd hood wearing bipedal creature that was kneeling in front of her. Rainbow reacted in the way that she’d been trained to in her martial arts classes. She leapt forward without warning and crashed into the biped using her forelegs to keep the creature contained.
“Where are my friends?!” Rainbow shouted angrily.
“I don’t know!” The creature shouted back in a feminine voice as she tried to struggle her way out of the horse’s grip.
“Where am I?!” Dash demanded.
“You’re in Autumnwatch Tower to the southeast of Whiterun, it’s part of the Imperial Province of Skyrim.” The creature said as she continued to unsuccessfully try to escape from Rainbow’s grasp.
“I-I’ve never heard of it.” Dash said in confusion.
“Hiya!” someone behind Dash shouted and she suddenly felt the sensation of hard metal slamming into the back of her head sending the blue pegasus sprawling. Dash recovered in a few seconds and rose shakily to her hooves before turning to look at the creature who had hit her.
This biped was different from the other, she was wearing thick steel armor and held a sword in one hand and a shield was strapped to the other. Dark hair ran down to her neck and brown eyes watched Dash’s every move with the hardened instincts of a warrior. Dash gulped nervously but shook her head, now wasn’t the time to be worried, it was the time to attack.
Dash charged towards the woman her wings flapping wildly as she flew a foot or two off of the ground. The woman seemed to have predicted this move and she swung her shield out at the last moment. Dash’s body was thrown to the side by the impact and she landed with a thud. The blue pegasus returned to her hooves panting but still easily capable of fighting. The biped before her stood confidently in a fighting stance; it was time to get rid of that confidence. Dash charged forward again, but this time instead of charging heedlessly into the shield’s path Dash changed direction in midair and slammed into the creature’s side sending them both to the ground.
The two combatants wrestled together on the ground both trying to gain superiority. Dash punched the creature in the face and the creature replied by smashing the back of Dash’s head into the stone floor leaving her dazed long enough for the creature to pin her. Unfortunately for the creature Dash was a master of several forms of pegasus karate along with earth pony aikido. She subtly shifted her weight and sent the creature flying off of her with a throw. The creature tumbled across the ground and let out a groan of pain before Dash tackled her again. The creature let out a snarl of defiance and slammed her shield into Dash’s chest dislodging the pegasus.
“Lydia stop it!” The other biped shouted suddenly making the one with the shield and armor pause. Dash stopped to and turned to face the other creature who had thrown her hood back to reveal a blonde maned head and a pair of green eyes.
“As wish, my Thane.” The creature with the shield, who Dash supposed was called Lydia, panted and lowered her arms.
“Look, I know that you’re probably scared, but we mean you no harm.” The creature continued, turning back to Dash who thought she heard a crack of anxiety in the voice. “I’m Arria, and that is my housecarl Lydia.” The creature told Dash before pausing and looking to Dash. The intent behind the introduction was obvious and Dash lowered herself back to all fours.
“I’m Rainbow Dash, fastest pegasus in Equestria.” She replied proudly. Arria cocked her head to the side in thought.
“I’ve never heard of Equestria, can you tell me where it is?” She asked a little timidly.
“You’d have to ask Twilight about the specifics, she’s the egghead and all, but I know that it’s to north of Zebracan and to the west of Gryponia.” Dash replied.
“Okay… have you ever heard of Tamriel?” Arria asked slowly.
“Umm no, should I have?” Dash asked in confusion.
“Lydia do you think that the soup is ready yet?” Arria asked turning to the housecarl.
“It might be my Thane.” Lydia replied.
“Would you mind getting us three bowls?” Arria asked. “I have the oddest feeling that we’re going to want something to eat while we talk.” She added.
“Of course my Thane.” Lydia answered while a small smile worked its way across her face. “You have a mean right hook Rainbow.” She told the pegasus as she went over to a pot of soup that had been boiling over a nearby fire and began to ladle the contents into three separate bowls.
“Thanks, you’re not too bad yourself.” Dash told her. Arria meanwhile let out a sigh of relief. It had been a long day of walking and fighting and she had the oddest feeling that it was only going to get longer, but at least now she wouldn’t be tackling it on an empty stomach.
Author's Note
So guys this is my first Skyrim crossover, I hope that you liked it and I look forward to hearing from you. Before you ask there is a reason why the dragon was about to resist Fluttershy’s stare, it’ll be revealed in the next chapter
Rainbows on Ice and Fire in the Sky
Edited by TacoTown
Chapter 3
“Wow, that’s not nearly as big as Canterlot.” Dash observed from where she hovered next to Arria’s shoulder.
“It is a good city that has lasted hundreds of years.” Lydia said, swiftly coming to her home’s defense.
“I agree with Rainbow on this one Lydia, I too expected it to be bigger the first time.” Arria said.
“You’re an Imperial my Thane, to you Solitude is small.” Lydia said with a slightly disparaging tone to her voice.
They’d spent what felt to Dash like close to a month traveling to the city called Whiterun. Of course Dash knew that it had only taken a day, but for some reason it just felt like they’d been traveling forever. Maybe it was because they’d left a little before dawn when the light was bad. Dash hadn’t been able to see more than a few feet in front of her during the first hour of their trek back to the main road.
On the bright side, in that time Arria had calmed down significantly, and the two humans had begun to banter back and forth again. Dash was too busy looking at the city as they slowly neared it. Of course, the city had been within sight for several hours now, but Dash hadn’t been able to see many details from that distance. It certainly had walls, and a few dozen houses along with what looked like a keep at the top of a hill, but it really wasn’t very big by pony standards.
“I’m going to take a closer look from above.” Dash told her companions and prepared to shoot away, but before she got the chance Arria’s hand shot out and grabbed her by the tail.
“No you won’t. The guards are already nervous enough with the dragons about, they’re liable to shoot you if you go flying around randomly.” Arria said firmly.
“Aww, come on. I can dodge their slow arrows.” Dash complained as they neared the gates.
“I’m sure you can, but I’m also sure that the guards wouldn’t appreciate the waste of ammo.” Lydia told her.
“It’s that dragon!” one of the gate guards shouted as he drew his sword.
“Yes, it’s a furry, blue, talking, dragon.” Arria said rolling her eyes.
“I didn’t know that those existed!” The guard said in shock. Arria took a moment to visibly regain control of her face, which had become something like a cross between an angry teacher and an extremely tired parent.
“I was being sarcastic Jon, by the nine.” Arria said slowly with a facepalm.
“Oh, then what is it?” Jon the guard asked in confusion.
“I’m a pegasus.” Dash told the guard.
“A what?” Jon asked.
“A flying pony.” Dash answered slowly; her voice was becoming a bit strained.
“Is he yours?” Jon asked Arria, who facepalmed again.
“I’M A MARE DAMMIT!” Dash shouted as she charged the guard; the only thing that kept her from assaulting Jon was Arria’s hand firmly around her tail. Even with that Arria was almost pulled off her feet as she attempted to restrain the angry pegasus, and Lydia was forced to grab her shoulder to keep the mage from being pulled along behind. “COME HERE AND SAY THAT I’M A STALLION AGAIN YOU PRICK!” Dash shouted louder than before.
“I need backup!” Jon shouted wildly.
“THAT’S RIGHT, CALL YOUR FRIENDS! I CAN TAKE YOU ALL ON!” Dash shouted.
Several more guards came rushing through the gate to find Jon cowering behind his shield. They drew their swords and advanced on Dash, who struggled against Arria’s grip. It was only thanks to hours of holding her mace while her master endlessly tested her abilities that Arria was able to hold on. The mage mentally thanked her master for those hours of training.
“She’s harmless, really she is; she’s just not very smart is all.” Lydia said loud enough to make Dash turn in midair to face her.
“Hey, I’m smart!” The pegasus protested.
“Says the pony who is trying to charge into a group of heavily armed guards.” Arria said dryly.
“Arria, what delightful thing have you brought us today?” A slightly sarcastic female voice called from the wall above. Arria looked up to see a dark elf in leather armor looking down at her with a raised eyebrow.
“Umm, hi Irileth, I, um…” Arria said, trailing off. She respected the dark elf who’d proven immensely useful against the first dragon that Arria had fought, but she was still slightly unsettling and Arria didn’t know why. She’d lived with plenty of dark elves, but something about Irileth seemed to say ‘I’ll gut you like a fish if I need to’ to Arria.
“I see, I suppose that she’s not a danger to the city or the guards?” Irileth asked.
“Of course not Irileth; I’d never bring something dangerous to the city.” Arria said.
“That’s good.” Irileth said before jumping off of the wall and landing lightly on her feet. “Stand down boys, I’ll take it from here.” She told the guards.
“Aye Ma’am.” They replied before walking back through the gate except for Jon, who remained by the door looking extremely embarrassed.
“So who are you?” Irileth asked Dash.
“My name is Rainbow Dash, I’m a pegasus, mare.” Dash said as levely as she could.
“Mhm.” Irileth replied before turning to Arria. “I take it that she isn’t a daedra.”
“That’s right, we found her under rather odd circumstances while killing the dragon of Autumnwatch Tower on the Jarl’s request.” Arria answered.
“Odd, I don’t remember the Jarl informing me of this task…” Irileth said with a confused note to her voice.
“He came to my house in the middle of the night to tell us about it.” Lydia said.
“What?” Irileth asked in shock.
“Yeah, you have no idea how embarrassing it was; I wasn’t wearing much more then my undergarments.” Arria said while uncomfortably, scratching the back of her head.
“That- that is most bizarre… The Jarl does not ordinarily leave the keep without me, let alone after midnight.” Irileth said. “I think you three should come up to Dragonsreach. You aren’t in trouble, but I would like some clarification on this matter.” Irileth told them firmly. Arria and Lydia exchanged a glance before shrugging. Dash looked uncertainly at the dark elf and then back to her companions.
“You’re not going to try and kill me, are you?” Dash asked Irileth, who chuckled.
“Not unless you give me a reason to Rainbow. Of course, if you do I’ll skin you alive and wear your feathers around my neck.” Irileth told her with a deadly smile on her green lips.
“You think you can take me?” Dash asked cockily.
“More than certain, now come along. We need to go see the Jarl.” Irileth said before turning her back on the three and calmly walking through the front gate. Arria and Lydia walked after her, while Dash hovered close to Arria’s right shoulder.
“Are you sure we can trust her?” Dash asked Arria quietly.
“If we can’t trust her then we can’t trust anyone. Besides Dash, I’ve been here for a week and the people seem nice enough. There’s no reason to distrust anyone.” Arria reassured the suddenly nervous pegasus.
“Yeah, sure, you’re right.” Dash replied a little uncertainly as they walked into the hold.
“Something wrong Rainbow?” Lydia asked before she nodded to Adrianne as the woman gave her a friendly wave, before she caught sight of Dash and her eyes widened.
“Nothing, I’m fine!” Dash snapped.
“Right; and I’m an argonian.” Arria said with a hint of sarcasm entering her voice.
“I don’t even know what that is!” Dash said in frustration while they walked through the market. At least a dozen people stopped what they were doing just to watch as the odd pony fly by. “I- they’re all watching me.” She whispered.
“Of course they are; you’re new and interesting.” Arria told Dash with a shrug. “I can shout and they’ll stare at me, watch. FUS!” Arria shouted into the air; immediately everyone’s attention turned to Arria who quickly hid her face beneath her cloak’s hood. Irileth shot her a slightly annoyed look but said nothing, and they continued on in relative silence until they reached Dragonsreach. The guards at the doors to the keep looked at Dash skeptically, but opened the doors without question thanks to a hard look from Irileth.
The great hall stretched out before them, two long elevated tables took up the majority of Dash’s view at first as the group walked up the stairs. Then she saw it, hanging right above a small throne. It was a dragon skull, and a large one at that! It was easily five times as big as Dash was, and her gaze was drawn almost hypnotically towards it. She was only stopped from flying towards it by Arria’s hand, which had once again reached out to grab her by the tail.
“Sorry.” Dash mumbled sheepishly.
“It’s fine, I had close to the same reaction my first time.” Arria whispered back as she took her hood off, letting her blonde hair loose.
“So this is the little horse who seems to have been causing so much commotion among my guards.” An amused voice said from the throne. Dash’s eyes were drawn to an old man with blonde hair who was sitting casually on his throne.
“Yes, her name is Rainbow Dash.” Arria said, stepping forward.
“Ah, Arria. I was wondering where you’d gone, normally you tell me beforehand when you’re going to leave the city.” The man said turning his head to give the woman a slightly annoyed glance.
“About that, my Jarl…” Arria said trailing off.
“It can wait.” The Jarl said with a swish of his hand. “At the moment I’m far more interested in this horse then as to the reason why you weren’t here.” He continued.
“As you wish.” Arria said with a tilt of her head.
“So Rainbow Dash what are you?” Jarl Balgruuf asked, turning back to Dash.
“I am a pegasus mare from the land of Equestria.” Dash replied.
“Well Rainbow Dash I my name is Balgruuf the Greater, the Jarl of Whiterun.” Jarl Balgruuf explained.
“Umm, it’s nice to meet you?” Dash said uncertainly as she floated in midair without flapping her wings.
“Well I’d hope so.” Jarl Balgruuf said with a small grin. “So, Rainbow Dash from the land of Equestria, how did you come to Skyrim?”
“How does she do that?” Arria asked herself quietly as she looked at Dash's un-moving wings.
“Well, like I was saying…”
***
Spitfire, Captain of the Wonderbolts, stood before Princess Celestia, who was sitting on her golden throne.
“Thank you for coming so swiftly Spitfire.” Celestia said with a kind smile. Spitfire smirked slightly before replying.
“Of course Princess, I’ll come for you whenever you ask.” The flame maned pegasus mare replied. Her voice was firm and serious, but her eyes were laughing.
“I don’t ask for people to come, I command them to.” Celestia said, continuing the innuendo. They were old friends.
“Well, I’ve always liked following orders.” Spitfire replied with a wink. Soarin, who was standing next to Spitfire and hadn’t been present at past meetings between the two was giving his Co-Captain, and marefriend, an odd look.
“Relax Soarin, your marefriend and I were simply enjoying an old joke.” Celestia said, putting the stallion’s mood at ease.
“So Princess, what’s up?” Spitfire asked Celestia.
“You know Rainbow Dash, correct?” Celestia asked Spitfire, who chuckled.
“Do you mean the Rainbow Dash, the pegasus who squees every time I talk?” Spitfire asked. “Or do you mean the Rainbow Dash who saved my life and somehow managed to pull off Tornado Duty short hoofed who also managed to claim several dozen records at Wonderbolt Academy?” She added with a smirk.
“Both.” Celestia told her with an amused shake of her head.
“Yeah, I might know her.” Spitfire replied.
“Good, because I need the Wonderbolts to find her.” Celestia told the two.
“What’s happened to her?” Soarin asked.
“She was teleported by a malicious outside source while attempting to make a dragon leave his den.” Celestia explained. “We have no idea where she could’ve gone, but I’m confident that if any ponies can find her then it is the Wonderbolts.” She continued. “Do you feel that your team is up to this Spitfire?” The white alicorn asked.
“YES MA’AM!” Spitfire and Soarin barked with matching salutes.
“Very well then, you’re dismissed.” Celestia said with a smile.
“Why didn’t you tell me that you and the Princess were old friends?” Soarin whispered as they walked out of the room.
“It never came up.” Spitfire replied quietly with a smirk.
“So do you think that you and the Princess could give me some flying lessons?” Soarin asked with a cheeky grin.
“Get your mind out of the gutter Soarin, we’ve got a mare to find.” Spitfire told him while she gave him a dope slap. “Maybe once we get Rainbow Dash back Celestia and I can show you some of our moves .” She added with a chuckle.
***
“An odd tale, almost unbelievable in fact.” Jarl Balgruuf said with a frown.
“Surly you don’t believe this nonsense!” Proventus, the Imperial had been standing off to the side during the story exclaimed.
“Are you calling me a liar?” Dash asked.
“Yes.” Proventus said simply. “I’m calling you a liar, and a twit.” He added.
“Why you!” Dash shouted before she leapt forward in the air at the Imperial.
“STOP!” Jarl Balgruuf bellowed. Dash froze in midair once more, frozen in place a hoof away from Proventus’s face. “Proventus, find somewhere else to be, the rest of you are also dismissed. I wish to speak with Rainbow Dash alone.” The Jarl said. “That includes you Arria.” He added, giving the Dragonborn a hard look.
“But My Jarl, we still need to discuss why I left the city without-” Arria began.
“We will discuss it when I am done talking to Rainbow Dash, you may wait her for my return.” Jarl Balgruuf said, his voice was hard as stone and brooked no argument.
“I-yes My Jarl.” Arria said with a bow.
“Good. Follow me Rainbow Dash, we have things to discuss.” Jarl Balgruuf told Rainbow Dash as he rose to his feet and began to walk towards the back of the room.
Dash shot an uncertain look to Arria, who shrugged and nodded for her to continue. The pegasus followed Jarl Balgruuf at shoulder height as he walked up a set of stairs and out a door. She found herself in an impressive open air room with two large walkways running up the left and right sides of the room. What took Dash’s breath away however, was the sheer size of the room, it was bigger than Celestia’s throne room.
“Ah, the place where Dragonsreach gets its name.” Jarl Balgruuf said with a smile on his face. “This was where old Olaf One-Eye kept the dragon Numinex prisoner until he died of old age.” The Jarl continued with a shake of his head.
“It’s big.” Dash said softly.
“Indeed it is. Now why don’t you tell me what is troubling you, little pony?” Jarl Balgruuf asked.
“N-nothing, I’m Rainbow Dash; I’m not scared of anything!” Dash replied fiercely.
“I never said anything about being afraid.” The Jarl said smoothly.
“How did you know?” Dash asked in a quiet voice.
“I’m a Jarl; a Jarl who can’t read people is a Jarl soon to be reading his own execution order.” Jarl Balgruuf replied with a slight chuckle. “So what seems to be troubling you?”
“It’s just that- that- before I came here, I’d never seen someone killed before. And then Arria almost gets raped by a bandit, and then she goes crazy and there’s lightning everywhere and he’s screaming, and then Lydia, and the bodies, and, and, and…” Dash broke down sputtering on the ground as tears ran from her eyes in small rivers.
Jarl Balgruuf sighed sadly to himself and lowered himself down to sit beside the pegasus and pat her back. It took several minutes for Dash’s tears to dry and when they did she still couldn’t stop sniffling.
“I am a proud nord. That means that I revel in the joys of war and battle. However, that does not mean that I enjoy the feeling of my blade sinking into another man, watching as their hopes and dreams wash over the ground along with their blood.” Jarl Balgruuf told Dash quietly. “However, I will gladly kill those who would threaten my people or friends so if I am forced to act, then so be it.”
“But in Equestria we don’t-we don’t kill ponies; it’s the opposite of awesome!” Dash exclaimed.
“Then your Equestria is a very lucky place.” The Jarl told her. “Unfortunately, Tamriel, and Skyrim in particular, are not as lucky so we have to make do with what we have to defend ourselves from the dangers which plague us. Even when that means we must kill another. The problem troubling you is the same problem that many others face once the take their first life, something that you have yet to do. I suggest that you seek comfort from Arria and Lydia, both are good women and they should be able to help you come to terms with the reality of this land.” Jarl Balgruuf told her. “Now we should go back inside. Irileth gets antsy when I’m not around, and I would hate to have her burst in on us like this.” The Jarl said. “And sitting on the ground like this is not good for my back.” He added with a chuckle.
“Yeah-yeah I guess you’re right.” Dash said as she rose into the air again. They walked back into the main hall to find Arria, Lydia, and Irileth talking loudly.
“That’s it Arria, if you are going to be off slaying dragons and fighting bandits then you are getting a real suit of armor!” Irileth said sternly.
“But my robes are enchant-” Arria began before the dark elf cut her off.
“You were almost violated. You are getting a suit of armor if I have to drag you down to Warmaiden's by your short ear myself!” Irileth said cutting her off.
“I-Fine.” Arria said with a pout.
“Good. Your blue friend is going to need some armor and a knife, at the least, if she’s going to be traveling with you.” Irileth added.
“I do have enough gold saved up for that.” Arria said. “Although I was hoping to use it to buy more potions.” She added in a slightly resigned tone of voice.
“Are we interrupting something?” Jarl Balgruuf asked, causing all three women to jump slightly.
“No My Jarl, we were simply discussing the need of obtaining a suit of armor for both Arria and Rainbow Dash.” Lydia supplied before either of the other two women could answer.
“Good, now Arria we can get around to the reason behind you leaving the city without telling me.” Jarl Balgruuf said turning to Arria.
“Well you see My Jarl; two nights ago you appeared at my door a little after midnight. You told me that there was a dragon that you wanted me to slay, and that I should hurry to it before my feet ran away.” Arria answered. Jarl Balgruuf stared at her. “You then offered me a cheese wheel.” Arria added.
“…”Jarl Balgruuf continued to stare at her.
“Then you told me that if I didn’t that you’d pull out my intestines and strangle me with them. After that you left while saying something about seeing if ‘that drunk’ was still hanging around.” Arria finished with a frown.
“Lydia, is this true?” Jarl Balgruuf asked the housecarl, who nodded emphatically.
“Yes My Jarl, it was… quite strange, to say the least.” The housecarl said.
“I never went to your house that night.” Jarl Balgruuf said.
“Then who did?” Arria asked in confusion.
“I don’t know, but I think it is time that you sought your master once more Arria. He may be able to illuminate some answers that I cannot.” The Jarl said.
“Yes My Jarl.” Arria said with a slight bow.
“Good, now go get some armor and watch over your blue friend here, she isn’t nearly as tough as she thinks she is.” Jarl Balgruuf commanded.
Author's Note
AN:Before anyone misinterprets Jarl Balgruuf, when he tells Arria that he’d like her to talk to him before she leaves a Whiterun he means that he would like her to tell him that she will be gone. Not that she has to ask his permission, it’s there because I don’t understand why the Dragonborn is allowed to just walk off after being declared Thane of Whiterun, a position of political power and responsibility that can apparently be held in every hold by one man/woman…
Oh and sorry for the delay my Editor has been busy
Please comment!
Rainbows on Ice and Fire in the Sky
AN, yes i know i have a section for it but that's at the bottom which wold be counter productive here. Anyways my editor is busy editing my Christmas special for Light Wanderings which upwards of 9000 words and is as such unavailable for editing this. On the bright side I had a friend reading the first bit of this so it shouldn't be to bad until near the end, enjoy guys
Chapter 2
The five friends stared at the place where Rainbow Dash had been floating in shock. Nothing remained except for a blackened singe on the ground. The dragon himself looked quite surprised.
“Hmm that’s odd…” He muttered but before he could say more Fluttershy turned to him. There were tears running down her face and her eyes were red with anger.
“HOW DARE YOU!” She shouted while turning the full power of the stare on the dragon. “YOU KILLED HER!” The blue scaled dragon almost flinched under the assault and fell backwards into a crouch. “WHEN I’M DONE WITH YOU YOU’LL HAVE DONE SO MUCH COMMUNITY SERVICE THAT YOU’LL THINK THAT YOUR SCALES WERE NATUARALLY ORANGE!” She roared.
“But I didn’t kill her!” The dragon said meekly.
“What?” Fluttershy asked in confusion as her voice returned to normal.
“I had the full intent to kill her, or you more specifically, but if I’d killed her there would still be something left.” The dragon said while scratching his chin in puzzlement.
“That’s no excuse, actually that’s worse!” Twilight shouted as her horn began to glow with magical energy.
“Forgive me for being unconcerned with the fate of some rainbow maned idiot, now if you’ll excuse me I have a nap to get back to.” The dragon told them before it began to lower its head to the cave floor.
“Oh no ya don’t ya varmint, yall’re gonna tell us where ya sent Rainbow Dash!” Applejack shouted as her lasso shout out and quickly tangled around one of the dragon’s head spikes.
“I have no idea, like I said I wanted her dead not gone.” The dragon replied with a shrug before he quickly cut the rope looped around his head spike in half with a claw. He then lowered his head to the ground.
“You big meanie!” Pinkie shouted.
“I’m a dragon, fuck off.” The dragon told her before he shut his eyes and began to snore.
“You-you utter brute!” Rarity said with an absolutely outraged expression on her face. The dragon continued to snore unresponsively. The dragon let out a plume of smoke from his nostrils.
“I will be telling Princess Celestia about this.” Twilight informed the dragon.
“I don’t care what you tell the sun blasted bitch; just get the hell out of my cave.” The dragon replied while keeping his eyes closed. “Oh and tell her that next time she wants the King of the Dragons to move she’d damned well better come herself instead of sending six incompetent fillies!” He added.
“Wait, you’re not supposed to be the Dragon King, you’re supposed to be a minor blue drake who’s been causing trouble with the local sheep!” Twilight said in confusion.
“I’m the Dragon King, my name is Drake, I eat sheep.” The Dragon King told them. “Now get out of my cave!” He added as his head rose up from its sleeping position and he let out an angry roar.
Twilight and her friends exchanged an uneasy look, they hadn’t been expecting this. It was supposed to be an easy assignment, or as easy as moving a slightly troublesome dragon could be. What they hadn’t been expecting was the loss of Rainbow Dash, the ineffectiveness of the Stare, and that the dragon that they’d been attempting to move was the Dragon King.
“Girls as much as I hate say it we need to leave. We can’t fight him and if he really is the Dragon King then only Celestia or Luna themselves would be able to make him move.” Twilight told them, she was visibly on the edge of tears.
“But what about Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy asked quietly.
“I’m sorry Fluttershy but there’s nothing that we can do for her here.” Twilight told her yellow friend as a smattering of tears began to run down her face streaking her purple fur.
“Okay Twilight, I trust you.” Fluttershy replied tears forming in her own eyes.
“Yes darling if there’s one mare who can get to the bottom of this it’s you!” Rarity agreed a few tears were running down her own face as well.
“Yeah Twilight you’re gonna be able to find Dashie with your magic easy and then I’ll throw us a party!” Pinkie added enthusiastically.
“Aww come’re yall group hug.” Applejack shouted. The five friends embraced as they all cried.
“Can you do this somewhere else before I decide to eat you?” The Dragon King asked in annoyance, in response Twilight teleported the group outside of the cave with a tiny magical effort. It took the group several minutes to get over a small portion of their grief, but once they had the other four turned to Twilight.
“What now sugar cube?” Applejack asked hoarsely.
“First we get back to Ponyville and then I go to see Celestia. This situation doesn’t make any sense…I smell something fishy.” Twilight told them still whipping tears away from her eyes.
“Twilight we’re miles away from any river and the ocean is even farther, how could you smell something fishy?” Pinkie asked in confusion.
***
“Is there meat in this?” Rainbow Dash asked as she looked at the bowl of soup that was currently sitting in her lap.
“Yes, there’s a bit of rabbit and some venison in there along with carrots and a few potatoes.” Lydia replied.
“Cool, it’s been forever since I had any meat.” Dash told her with a grin before she tipped the bowl back and took a long slurp. Then she pulled the bowl away from her face and licked her lips with a grin.
“Aren’t you a horse?” Arria asked with a confused expression on her face as she furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.
“Nope, I’m a pony.” Dash replied with a shrug as if that made it any less confusing.
“But then shouldn’t you be a vegetarian?” Arria asked sounding slightly annoyed by Dash’s non answer.
“I like fruits and vegetables to if that’s what you’re asking?” Dash asked clearly not understanding the question. Arria’s brow furrowed even further but before she could think of another way to phrase the question Lydia came to her rescue.
“What my Thane is trying to ask is; if you are a pony then shouldn’t you only eat plants?” Lydia clarified.
“Oh that’s what you meant.” Dash replied with a chuckle. “Na that’s an urban myth, meat’s actually just really expensive in Equestria so we don’t get it all that much and we have to have tofu instead. I hate that stuff.” Dash told them with a grimace before she raised the bowl to her face again.
The two humans watched her eat for a few seconds in silence, Arria her head full of questions, Lydia content to let the silence stretch. Once Dash had finished her gulp she looked up at the other two.
“So umm would either of you mind telling me who you guys are? I mean I know your names, but that’s about it.” She asked.
“Well as you know my name is Arria Delitian, and I’m an imperial battle mage… well the apprentice of an imperial battle mage. I came to Skyrim, the country we’re currently in, to help him fight in the civil war.” Arria explained with a sigh.
“There’s a civil war going on?” Rainbow Dash asked in surprise.
“Yes, and it’s a pointless one at that.” Arria told her with a scowl.
“But if it’s a civil war… then shouldn’t it be important?” Dash asked.
“You’d think that wouldn’t you?” Arria replied with a sigh as she took a sip of her soup.
“Umm yeah, I mean the last civil war that Equestria had were the Lunar Rebellions a thousand years ago when Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon and tried to cover the entire world with eternal night. From what my friend Twilight says if Celestia hadn’t led the Solar Army to defeat her…” Dash said trailing off.
“They don’t do things by halves where you come from do they?” Lydia asked with a chuckle.
“I wish I could say the same about Tamriel.” Arria said as her scowl deepened.
“What do you mean?” Dash asked.
“The whole point of this war is because the Nords, no offense Lydia-”
“None taken my Thane.”
“-won’t swallow their pride and praise Talos in secret like everyone else!” Arria explained.
“Who’s Talos?” Dash asked.
“Talos is the Hero-god of mankind. He was once a great hero and the first emperor of the Empire but when he died he became a god. The Thalmor don’t like us believing that it’s possible for mere humans to attain godhood so they outlawed worshiping him.” Arria summarized.
“Umm and what does that have to do with the civil war?” Rainbow asked still confused.
“The Nords of Skyrim aren’t happy that the Empire agreed to outlaw Talos worship.” Arria replied.
“Wait, if he’s your god then why did you agree to outlaw him?”
“Because it gained us time to lick our wounds, which the Stormcloaks don’t seem to understand!” She exclaimed in annoyance.
“I’m still lost here.” Dash said shaking her head before taking another slurp. “Who are the Thalmor?”
“They’re elven supremacists. They want to unite Tamriel under their rule and then demote everyone who isn’t an elf to what would essentially be slavery.” Arria answered with a scowl.
“Wait, if they want to turn everyone else into slaves then why are you guys listening to them?” Dash asked.
“Because they all but destroyed us in the last war, the signing of The White-Gold Concordat was all that kept them from finishing the job last time. In exchange we had to outlaw Talos worship.” Arria told her.
“Okay…” Dash said before she trailed off. “So Lydia what’s your story?” She asked changing subjects.
“I was raised in the city of Whiterun and trained there all my life to be a housecarl. About a week ago she slew a dragon and Jarl Balgruuf made her a Thane. I was getting bored so I volunteered to be her personal housecarl. So far we’ve killed three dragons and a few dozen bandits together so I can’t complain about my choice.” Lydia replied with a grin.
“You’ve killed dragon?!” Dash all but shouted spitting a bit of her soup out all over Arria. The mage whipped a bit of beef off of her face with a light blush.
“Yes, I’ve um helped kill four dragons. Three were with Lydia and one with the help of a troupe of guardsmen from Whiterun.” The mage said still blushing with embarrassment.
“And then you ate their souls!” Lydia added with a grin as she clapped Arria on the back heartily.
“You-you can eat dragon souls?” Rainbow asked in shock.
“That’s a gross oversimplification of the process, but in laymen’s terms, yes I can eat dragon souls.” Arria said still blushing.
“That’s awesome!” Dash exclaimed with a grin.
“You find the fact that I can “eat” dragon souls awesome, not scary, or worship worthy?” Arria asked slowly.
“Na, it’s just awesome and cool, and radical!” Dash replied with an emphatic nod. “Although the killing itself…I’m not really sure what to think of that, I-I’ve never had to do it. I’m not sure if I could or not.” Dash told them nervously.
“I know the feeling.” Arria said softly.
“You do?” Dash asked in surprise.
“Yes, my master got rid of it fast by pushing me into a bandit camp and leaving me there to fight my way out…but I still remember the way it felt to first shock someone to death with my sparks.” Arria said as she looked down at her hands and let a small bit of electricity play across her fingertips.
“Wait, your master just pushed you into their camp and forced you to kill your way out?” Dash asked in surprise. Arria nodded. “He sounds like a real ass.” Dash said.
“Honestly he’s a bit harsh, but you get used to it.” Arria told her.
“My Thane I still wonder how you can be so naiveté about sex when you had a master like that.” Lydia told her causing Arria to blush a deep scarlet.
“He never touched me Lydia, I’m a virgin.” Arria snapped at Lydia who chuckled.
“Testy, testy; truly it is a great wonder why you’ve not yet found someone willing to open that gate my Thane.” Lydia teased making Arria blush even deeper.
“I’ll do it when I’m ready Lydia.” Arria replied as she hid her face in her hood. Rainbow Dash chuckled to herself.
“You sound just like my friend Twilight.” She told the mage. “And a little bit like Fluttershy to now that I think about it.” She added.
“I do?” Arria asked coming out of her hood.
“Yeah, Twilight’s a unicorn who’s really good at magic and always gives lectures and Fluttershy’s always blushing about sex and stuff which is weird when you think about it considering her job.” Dash replied with a shrug.
“What’s her job?” Lydia asked.
“She runs an animal shelter thingy; she doesn’t really adopt the animals. She just takes care of them and stuff.” Dash answered.
“And why does it not make sense for her to be embarrassed by sex stuff?” Arria asked through her still heated cheeks.
“Well they’re animals, rutting season comes eventually.” Dash replied frankly.
“Can we stop talking about sex please?” Arria asked sounding slightly flustered. “In fact why don’t you tell us a little bit about your home Dash?” She added quickly.
“Sure I guess; so what do you want to know?” Rainbow asked.
“What are you exactly? I mean no offense but I’ve never heard of a flying horse.” Arria asked.
“I’m a pegasus; we control the weather of Equestria and make sure that the earth ponies get the right amount of sunshine and rain.” Dash explained.
“Wait, you can control the weather?” Lydia asked interestedly.
“Yep, in fact I’m head of the Ponyville Weather Patrol.” Dash said proudly with a grin.
“Ponyville?” Arria asked with a raised eyebrow.
“That’s the name of the town I live in.” Rainbow replied.
“And I thought Nords were uncreative namers.” Arria said ruefully.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Dash asked a bit defensively.
“Nothing…um please continue.” Arria replied with a cough.
“Yeah, anyways I run the weather team and make sure that the farms all get the rain that they need.” Rainbow Dash told her two listeners.
“Interesting, I know that the farmers of Whiterun would enjoy having someone who could make it rain whenever they needed it.” Lydia said while she tapped her chin.
“Wait, you mean that your farmers don’t have any say in how the weather works?” Dash asked in confusion.
“Well we can pray and hope.” Lydia replied.
“Next thing you’ll tell me that you can’t control the seasons!” Dash exclaimed. The crickets outside started to chirp as Lydia and Arria just stared at her. “Or-or that the sun rises by itself!” Dash added; Arria’s jaw dropped as did Lydia’s. Several minutes of silence passed until Arria pulled herself together enough to ask a question.
“Dash; do you mean to tell me that your people have the power to raise the sun?” She asked in amazement.
“Yeah, Celestia does it.” Dash replied.
“Didn’t you say that she lived a thousand years ago?” Arria asked.
“Mhm, she was still going strong last time I saw her.” Rainbow answered with a shrug.
“Dash…are you a daedra?” Arria asked quietly as her hand slowly reached for her mace, Lydia followed suit.
“What’s a daedra?” Dash asked in confusion. Lydia and Arria exchanged a look.
“A daedra is an immortal being from Oblivion, they vary anywhere from chaotic and evil to benign and helpful. They also have no real sense of morality.” Arria explained. “They’re most often characterized by the Prince of their native plain of Oblivion, some of whom at least attempt not to harm mortals.” Arria continued as she clenched the handle of her mace.
“Why are you two looking at me that way…?” Dash asked suddenly noticing the way that the two women were regarding her, Arria’s eyes were scanning her in an extremely creepy way and Lydia’s were hardened with resolve.
“Dash what were the names of your Princesses again?” Arria asked, her voice had acquired a low almost threatening quality.
“Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.” Dash replied uneasily as her eyes jumped back and forth between the two women. Her body was tensing, preparing to dodge in any direction necessary to avoid danger.
“Odd…I don’t recognize them from my readings, and my master made sure that I knew my Deadric Princes…” Arria said relaxing slightly as her hand retreated from the hilt of her mace. Lydia shrugged and discreetly sheathed her sword which Dash hadn’t even noticed being drawn.
“So um should I be worried about you guys attacking me?” Dash asked but Arria shook her head.
“I don’t recognize your Princesses’ names as Deadric, and from the way you seem so clueless about things I’m willing to bet that you probably aren’t one.” Arria told her with a slight sigh. “I’m sorry Dash, but if you were a daedra then… well there’s a reason that most daedra are mistrusted at best.” Arria told Dash sounding legitimately apologetic.
“Uh… it’s cool I guess, but I could’ve totally taken you if I had to.” Dash told them with a cocky grin on her face. Lydia snorted and Arria let out a small giggle at her tone.
“So, more soup?” The mage asked.
“I’d love some more.” Dash replied with a grin
***
Twilight stepped out of the train and was met at the station by her brother Shining Armor, Celestia must have sent him ahead to meet her. The white stallion gave her a loving smile before he wrapped her in a hug with. Twilight returned the embrace and shuddered once before she found her voice.
“Thanks Shining.” She said quietly.
“Are you alright Twily?” Shining asked, Twilight’s letter to Celestia hadn’t included a reason for her sudden need to
“No I’m not Shining.” Twilight replied tersely. “We need to get to the castle immediately.” She added as she began to stride purposely through the darkened Canterlot streets towards the castle.
“Twily whatever it is you can tell me.” Shining told her as he walked next to her.
“I will when I talk to Celestia, in the meantime how’re things going with Cadence?” Twilight asked him.
“Perfect.” Shining said with an incredibly happy look on his face. Twilight let out a small giggle at the look on his face momentarily losing a bit of her intensity.
“You know Shining I’m still not sure how you managed to keep your relationship under wraps as long as you did.” Twilight told him.
“Oh it wasn’t too hard; trust me Twily you were kind of oblivious to stuff like that.” Shining told her with a chuckle as he bumped her with his side.
“I was not!” Twilight replied with an annoyed frown on her face.
“Oh really?” Shining asked sardonically.
“Yes really!” Twilight told him.
“Alright so where did Cadence go whenever you were asleep?” Shining asked her with a wicked grin.
“I-I thought she went home…” Twilight said with a confused look.
“Nope, we’d spend the nights till mom and dad got home talking and occasionally kissing.” Shining told her.
“But-but…” Twilight stuttered.
“Yeah those were some fun nights sis, let me tell you.” He said with a chuckle.
“You two didn’t do it on the couch did you…?” Twilight said trailing off at the thought.
“On the couch; no of course not. We didn’t actually um do it until our marriage night.” Shining told her as a slight blush touched his face.
“Well that’s a relief, I was worried that I’d never be able to sit down anywhere in our house again.” Twilight replied.
“I wouldn’t retract that just yet.” Shining told her with a chuckle.
“Why’s that?” Twilight asked.
“Well mom and dad…” Shining said trailing off. Twilight hit him with her hoof.
“Eww gross! Shining why do you make me thing about that!?” Twilight asked as a disgusted look washed over her face.
“Because it’s fun to mess with my little sister.” Shining told her with a wide grin. “Also because you looked like you needed it.” He told her sobering up for a second.
“Do I really look that bad?” Twilight asked.
“Twily your eyes are red and the fur around them is tearstained.” Shining told her as he leaned against her slightly, offering her his brotherly warmth.
“I-I hadn’t realized, I haven’t had a chance to look in a mirror.” Twilight said quietly. “Although… that would explain why Spike almost forced me to take him with me.” She added slowly.
“So are you sure you don’t want to tell me what happened now?” Shining asked.
“Yes, I don’t think I’ll be able to tell it more than once without having a breakdown.” Twilight said softly.
“Alright then Twily, I’ll trust you on this.” Shining told her as he leaned a little closer to her in a comforting way.
“Thanks Shiny.” Twilight replied.
They walked in silence until they reached the castle. Shining nodded to the guards at the gate and they respectfully stepped aside and let the Captain of the Guard and his little sister pass without comment. As always Twilight couldn’t suppress a small smile at the sight of the castle rearing up before her, she had so many happy memories from the place that it practically radiated love and comfort to her. The guards at the front door let them pass with a similar amount of trouble as the ones at the gate, that is to say none, and they continued inward. Maids scurried about their business dusting and cleaning the walls and floors of the castle’s many hallways along with straightening pictures and making sure that the place was generally spotless.
As they walked towards their destination, Celestia’s suite, Twilight began to relax. The familiar surroundings set her mind at ease and her brother’s invisible protective aura added another layer of security and stability. Two nearly identical guards stood motionless on either side of the door to Celestia’s suite however the second that they saw Shining they saluted. Shining nodded to them and one opened the door with a hoof before stepping back and allowing the two unicorns to enter the room un-harried.
Inside they found Celestia peacefully sipping a cup of tea in a simple wooden chair while she eyed a slice of opulently iced cake that was sitting on the table beside her. At the sound of their entrance Celestia looked up from her cake and gave Twilight one of her patented smiles, it was the kind of smile that instantly filled your heart with hope no matter what had happened, the kind of smile that promised you that no matter what you did she’d forgive you. In short it was the smile of a being older than Equestria itself who was more powerful than the sun and fully capable of using that power to accomplish whatever she wished.
To Twilight however, that smile had a different connotation. To the purple mare it was the smile of a loving mother figure. She was the one who had held her when she was scared at night in the big scary castle until she’d gone back to sleep. She was the one who had taught her how to discern the true nature of the universe armed with nothing but her magic and her brain. Celestia was the one who, in her infinite wisdom, had sent Twilight out into the world to make friends just in the nick of time to prevent catastrophe.
“Twilight what has happened? You look awful.” Celestia asked in concern as she rose from her chair to embrace her student in a hug.
Twilight didn’t answer at first; instead she just began to weep losing all form of dignity or control as Celesta pulled her closer. Shining watched from behind struck by indecision. Should he go and comfort his sister, or should he wait for Celestia’s command? In the end his brotherly instincts won out and he went up to embrace his sister as well. Finally after five straight minutes of crying Twilight’s eyes dried and she could cry no more, then she pushed herself away from her mentor and brother.
“I-I’m sorry Princess, I shouldn’t have done that.” Twilight said quietly.
“Nonsense Twilight never say such a thing.” Celestia answered sharply as she returned to her chair. “Whatever has happened has upset you very badly and it is perfectly alright for you to cry on my shoulder if need be.” Celestia told the purple mare. “Now I need you to calmly tell me what’s happened so that I can help.” Celestia told her calmly.
“It started with that letter you sent me this morning about the dragon problem.” Twilight began.
“Twilight I never sent you a letter this morning.” Celestia said puzzled.
“You didn’t?” Twilight asked in confusion. “Then what’s this?” She asked pulling the letter out of her saddlebag and sending it floating over to Celestia to read. The Solar Monarch spent a few seconds looking over the letter before she gasped in obvious distress.
“Whoever sent this was trying to get you killed Twilight.” She said very quietly; then she looked at the look on Twilight’s face as it crumbled. “Oh no, Twilight I’m so very, very sorry.” She said as she bent down and picked up the unicorn in her forelegs and held her close.
“What’s going on, who died?” Shining asked quietly.
“What’s going on is that whoever sent this letter is going to pay very dearly for it.” Celestia said with an angry snort that almost sounded like a snarl.
“What did it say?” Shining asked.
“Dear My faithful student
I need you and your friends to move a blue drake living in the south western mountains near Gryponia who’s been causing the local sheep a great deal of trouble and relocate him to a lovely cave near in the eastern mountains. Pleas report back when you’ve done this.
Sincerely your teacher Princess Celestia
Ps. Remember Cats can be Bats can be Rats can be Hats can be Gnats.” Celestia said with a scowl as she released Twilight who was looking at her strangely.
“I don’t remember the last part; it wasn’t there when I originally read it.” Twilight said slowly. Shining’s eyes had bulged by this point.
“The only blue dragon who lives in the western mountains is- oh by Luna!” Shining almost shouted.
“…Is Drake, the Dragon King himself.” Celestia finished for him.
“Twily…” Shining said at a loss for words. The Dragon King was known for being incredibly violent, fast to anger, and even faster to seek retribution for even a perceived slight.
“Yes which is why I’ll make sure that whoever did this is thrown into the darkest, deepest, dankest pit in all of Tartarus.” Celestia said; her words held barely constrained rage. “Twilight you have to tell me what happened after you got to the cave.” She said switching topics.
“I told him that he had to leave but he refused and got angry, and then we tried fighting him but nothing worked; even Fluttershy’s stare didn’t affect him.” Twilight said.
“No, it wouldn’t. Fluttershy’s got a strong will, but young Drake’s been alive thousands of years. At this point only Luna or I could hope to control him and whatever we accomplished would be temporary at best.” Celestia said with a slight scowl once more gracing her regal face.
“Then he shot a ball of fire straight at Fluttershy and-and” Twilight stuttered.
“He killed Fluttershy?!” Celestia asked in shock.
“No, Dash threw her out of the way at the last second and got hit instead.” Twilight sobbed.
“Oh Twilight, I’m so sorry. I know how it is to have someone close to you die.” Celestia said sadly as she pulled the purple mare close again.
“But she’s not dead.” Twilight sniffled.
“Wait, she isn’t?” Shining asked from behind.
“No, that’s the weird part.” Twilight said pulling away from Celestia who was regarding her curiously.
“What do you mean Twilight?” Celestia asked
“She didn’t die; if she did we would’ve found something left behind beside a scorch mark, as at least. Instead it’s like she just vanished, almost as if she was a letter that I sent through Spike.” Twilight explained.
“That is odd…” Celestia said trailing off.
“What’s even odder is that apparently he was legitimately trying to kill her, he didn’t want to teleport her he just wanted Fluttershy dead.” Twilight said.
“Something must have interfered then, although I have no idea what or who it could be.” Celestia mused aloud.
“So Princess what do we do now?” Shining asked.
“Scramble the Guard and send them out looking for any trace of Rainbow Dash. Remember Shining Armor time is of the essence.” Celestia commanded, Shining saluted and gave Twilight a hug before he walked out of the room.
“Can I stay in the castle tonight?” Twilight asked in a quiet voice.
“Of course you may Twilight.” Celestia answered with a loving motherly smile as she wiped another tear away from her student’s face. Then Celestia’s face changed a bit as she thought over the contents of the letter.
“What is it Princess?” Twilight asked.
“I’m trying to think if I’ve ever heard the phrase at the end of the letter before.” Celestia said as she closed her eyes for a second to think.
“Have you?” Twilight asked as her innate curiosity won over her grief at losing her friend.
“No, I haven’t the faintest idea where it’s from.” Celestia said with a sigh.
“Do you think there could be anything in the Archives?” Twilight asked.
“Could be, could be.” Celestia said with a nod. “Would you like to begin searching now?” Celestia asked Twilight who nodded eagerly until her stomach cut her off with a loud growl.
“Maybe after some lunch, I haven’t been able to eat anything since this morning.” Twilight said with a blush.
“Of course Twilight, follow me and I’ll get something prepared for you.” Celestia told her student.
“You’re just going to eat cake aren’t you?” Twilight asked.
“I have an image to uphold Twilight; cake is a very important, and tasty, part of that image.” Celestia replied loftily.
***
Dash was woken from her sleep by the sound of a woman shouting a battle cry. It sounded like Lydia! The housecarl had volunteered to take the first watch of the night and was supposed to be on the lookout for anyone who tried to mess with them while they slept.
Dash opened her eyes rapidly and waited for them to adjust to the dimming light cast by the dying fire. She turned her head to the right where Arria was sleeping and found to her surprise that a stocky man was lying atop her forcing her to the ground with one hand pressing into her chest right above her breasts immobilizing her and the other covering her mouth so that she couldn’t talk. His trousers were half way off and he looked to be trying to get them all the way off without taking his hands away from her body. Arria’s robe had been pushed up over body revealing the skin beneath, her breasts were still covered by a thin strip of cloth but the man didn’t seem to really mind.
“Oh boy when I told ma boys that there’d be fresh meat in here I had no idea that it’d be this pretty.” The man slurred. He was wearing what looked to be armor made out of leather with some studs of iron and metal sticking out of it along with a snow covered cap of some kind and ruff fur boots. At his waist were a steel dagger and an iron sword. Arria struggled beneath his grasp but the man just laughed.
“You mages are all the same; ya don’t got any muscles under those robes!” He chuckled. “That’s alright though I don’t like them muscular!” He added with a leer.
“Hey get the heck off of her!” Dash shouted as she leapt into the air and sped forward to deliver a powerful kick to the man’s face as he turned to look at her. The man was thrown off both by the power behind the kick and the surprise that came from being kicked in the face by a flying rainbow maned horse.
“Da hell are you?” He asked blearily as he pulled his trousers up.
“Rainbow Dash, fastest flyer in Equestria, and I’m about to kick your butt!” Dash told him angrily.
“Ha I’d like to see you tr-” The man began as he drew his sword but he was interrupted by a small bolt of lightning that suddenly slashed out and struck his left arm sending him spinning. He regained his feet after a few seconds visibly shaking but still able to fight.
“I’m going to kill you.” Arria stated simply as she began to walk up to the man, rings of blue lightning sparking from her fingers. “FUS RO DA!” She shouted.
Dash watched in amazement as the man was sent flying backwards into the wall of the tower by the force of the words. Then Arria sent a bolt slightly larger of lightning straight into the man’s right thigh causing him to let out a horrible scream as the lightning burned its way through his flesh.
“I may be mage, but I’m also an Imperial Battle Mage, and if there’s one thing that my master drilled into my head over the years it’s ways to kill someone.” Arria told him as her voiced dripped with venom. “I think we’ll start this off with your testicles.” She told him with a snarl as she sent a bolt lightning flying straight into the man’s crotch. Dash flinched at the sound of the man’s pain and turned to look at her new friend who was watching the display with a blank face.
“Arria are you okay?” Dash asked softly.
“He tried to rape me Dash.” Arria replied without turning to look at Dash. She then shot out another bolt of lightning that seared into the man’s chest slicing through his armor like butter and leaving a large black mark where it had struck.
“Then shouldn’t we umm turn him over to the guards?” Dash asked hesitantly.
“There are no guards this far away from any of the cities and towns.” Arria replied. “Besides they execute people for rape so I’m just expediting the process.” She then gathered magic into both hands and unleashed it into both of the man’s shoulders at once. This time it was a concentrated bolt but instead it was a flickering trail of multiple bolts. The man screamed in agony so loudly that Dash knew that she’d never unhear the noise.
“I think Lydia’s in danger!” Dash said as she suddenly remembered the woman’s shouts from before. That broke through the shell of anger that Arria had erected around herself.
“I-I forgot about that.” She said unsteadily. Then she turned back to the man who was now lying prostrate against the wall groaning in agony. With a quick flash of light she sent a lightning bolt flying out of her right hand that burned through the man’s head. “Come on we have to help Lydia, she’s good but who knows how many men this bastard brought with him!” Arria said urgently as she rushed out the door.
Dash was frozen in midair. The only parts of her that were moving where her wings which were acting off of instinct more than anything else. The man’s body just lay there on the ground covered in sear marks. At least there wasn’t any blood; Dash was pretty sure that if there’d been blood to go along with the stinking smell of burning flesh she would’ve lost her dinner. A sudden screech from outside snapped her out of it, she turned and rushed out of the tower almost smashing face first into the shield of a man dressed similarly to the first one. Dash pulled up at the last second and quickly back winged away just in time to avoid a nasty blow to the head.
“They’ve got a flyin horse witdth them!” The man shouted before he swung his sword at Dash who rolled away from the blow in midair.
“I’m a pegasus!” Dash shouted as she charged towards the man and punched him squarely in the jaw sending him stumbling backwards.
She followed this up with a roundhouse kick to the chest that sent him tumbling to the ground. The man groaned as he lay there on the ground but before he could regain his feet Dash came at him again smashing her hoof into his nose breaking it with a crack. Red blood poured out of his nostrils and coated her foreleg but Dash didn’t notice it. All she cared about was making sure that the man wouldn’t cause her new, and extremely scary, friends harm. The man just lay there quietly unmoving apparently unconscious. Dash nodded to herself and looked around to see if she could find Lydia and Arria.
She found them a few feet away guided by a spectral light that floated above them. Lydia was kneeling on the ground breathing heavily and Arria was standing next to her with green swirling around her hands as she pressed them into Lydia’s shoulder. Slowly the housecarl regained her feet and turned to Arria.
“I’m sorry my Thane, I failed you.” She said hanging her head.
“I’m fine now Lydia, you couldn’t be watching all of them at once.” Arria told her softly as she pulled her robe back down so that it was covering her once more, apparently she hadn’t thought of it during the fight.
“Are you two okay?” Dash asked as she flew over to them.
“I’m fine, once I calm down that is, until then I’d avoid startling, or touching me unless you want me to accidentally electrocute you.” Arria told her shakily, she’d been using a lot of magic today and even with the added fortitude granted to her by her mantle of Dragon Born she was still close to dropping with exhaustion.
“I’m fine as well thanks to my Thane.” Lydia said with a nod towards Arria.
“How many were there?” Dash asked.
“Twelve, I managed to kill seven but five got through.” Lydia said hanging her head again.
“I killed three counting the one in there.” Arria said with an unsteady nod towards the tower.
“And I knocked one out which means that there’s still one left.” Dash said looking around hesitantly.
“He’s probably run away by now; bandits only fight battles that they know they’ll win.” Lydia said.
“Alright.” Dash said her voice was still shaky.
“Where was the one you knocked out?” Arria asked suddenly.
“Over there on the ground.” Dash replied with a nod in the appropriate direction.
“I’ll get him.” Lydia said as she rose to her feet and started over where Dash had indicated. The wet sound of a sword blade sinking into flesh followed a second later making Dash shiver.
“Now what?” Dash asked as Lydia rejoined them.
“Now we sleep and then get a move on in the morning; I want to get back to Whiterun by noon.” Arria replied.
“In there?” Dash asked with a note of panic entering her voice. “But there’s a body in there!” Dash all but shouted.
“I’ll move it, and then we’ll sleep.” Lydia told her simply, ending the pegasus’s protests.
“Alright I guess…” Dash said trailing off.
“Don’t worry you’ll get used to the killing, oh and Dash in case we forgot to say it before; welcome to Skyrim.” Lydia said.
Author's Note
So if you don't know who sent Dash to Equestria after this chapter then i'm going to assume that you've never played any of the Elder Scrolls games in which case I hope that the info dump at the beginning of the chapter helped explain a bit more about the world that Dash is going to be exploring.
Also i hope my grammar wasn't to bad at the end, until next time then
Ed out
